Hellgate stands in Wolfpack's way for trip to state AA softball

Through the wind, rain, snow, hail, through postponements, reschedules and cancellations ... and even the few snippets of sunshine, the message from Glacier coaches to the Wolfpack softball team has been the same.

What matters is how you play in May.

Well, it's May - and the Western AA No. 3 seed Glacier Wolfpack plays host to No. 6 seed Missoula Hellgate in a best-of-three series today. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Kidsports Complex. The other games are planned for 3 and 5 p.m. (if necessary).

The winner advances to the May 26-28 Class AA state softball tournament at Stewart Park in Billings.

As for the rest of the Western AA, Helena Capital wrapped up the No. 1 seed and the automatic bid to the state tournament. Missoula Sentinel was second and plays host Thursday to No. 7 Helena High. Flathead visits Missoula Big Sky on Thursday in the 4-5 seed contest.

"The girls are excited. They're looking forward to it," Glacier coach Joel Bemis said.

Glacier (6-6) has come out ahead in both meetings this year.

It beat the Knights 1-0 April 5 at Kidsports, then dominated 11-4 April 21 in Missoula.

"Basically, I think it's going to come down to us hitting the ball," Bemis said.

"Hellgate hit the ball well against Big Sky last week. They're a pretty solid team and we are going to have to play well to beat them," the coach said.

"That's our key is how we get on their pitcher (Leyna Downey). She's pretty good. She throws the ball hard. It's going to be a test for us."

The Wolfpack got on her pretty good in Missoula - it had 11 hits, including five doubles.

But in the first game "we didn't hit her and she threw the ball well," Bemis said.

Jessie Compton will start for Glacier.

Compton has been very consistent all season for the Wolfpack.

"She's been solid. She's had a good second half of the year," the coach said of Compton.

Bemis has been proud of the way the Wolfpack has played the last few weeks.

"Lately, the last couple games our team defense has really stepped it up," he said.

"We're looking forward to playing. But we're going to have to swing the bat and hit the ball," he said.